Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Shadows of Trust

The weight of unease pressed against Leo as he paced his study, the shadows of the room deepened by the flickering firelight. Skype's dismissive response to his questions about Black Feather still echoed in his mind, a puzzle piece that refused to fit. If there was one thing Leo had learned in his years as a mafia boss, it was that every brush-off carried a hidden truth.

The silence was broken by the buzz of his encrypted phone. A message flashed on the screen—a lead from one of his trusted informants. It was short but urgent: "Activity at the docks. Possible Black Feather link."

Leo's jaw tightened. If Black Feather was involved, this could be the breakthrough he needed. He dialed Marco immediately. "Assemble the team. We're moving out."

---

The Encounter

The docks were bathed in an eerie, bluish mist. The fog hugged the ground, swallowing the scattered containers and casting ghostly shadows under the sparse lighting. Leo stepped out of the car, his footsteps muted against the damp concrete. Marco and a handful of trusted men followed closely behind, their weapons ready.

"Boss," Marco whispered, nodding toward a lone figure near a stack of crates.

Leo gestured for caution. "Spread out. Watch for an ambush."

The figure stepped into the dim light—a woman, sharp-featured, dressed in a sleek leather jacket that glinted faintly in the moonlight. Her dark eyes met Leo's with a mix of defiance and calm.

"Cassia," she introduced herself, her voice cool and measured. "We need to talk."

Leo frowned, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Talk or trap?"

"If I wanted to trap you, you'd already be dead," Cassia replied, a ghost of a smirk crossing her lips. "I'm here to offer you information. Black Feather isn't just a myth—it's a powerhouse. And its leader is closer than you think."

---

Action Unleashed

Before Leo could respond, the sharp crack of a gunshot split the air. Marco shoved Leo behind a stack of barrels, shouting, "Ambush!"

Shadows emerged from the fog—figures clad in dark clothing and masks, their weapons gleaming under the faint light. The docks erupted into chaos, a symphony of gunfire and shouts.

Leo drew his gun, his movements precise as he fired at an approaching assailant. Cassia, to his surprise, moved with deadly grace, disarming an attacker with a flick of her blade and incapacitating another with a swift kick. Her calculated efficiency was both unnerving and impressive.

"Behind you!" Marco yelled, and Leo spun just in time to dodge a knife aimed for his ribs. He retaliated with a brutal punch, sending

his attacker sprawling to the ground.